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SB Nation MLS Power Rankings: Chivas USA Move up Again

By Alicia Rodriguez
April 14, 2012; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Chivas: clawing their way up once again in the SBN Power Rankings Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE
April 14, 2012; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Chivas: clawing their way up once again in the SBN Power Rankings Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE

With Chivas USA coming out of their brutal start of the 2012 season and playing teams that are closer to Earth when it comes to form, they are currently riding a two game winning streak and a midtable position. This week, the hive mind over at SB Nation has voted on the latest MLS Power Rankings, and the Goats have moved up again this week, to 13th. Although it's only one place higher than last week, it must be considered that Chivas played the team rooted to the bottom of the standings and power rankings, Toronto FC, and while wins are the name of the game (so to speak), the performance showed there's still work to be done by the rojiblancos.

Based on the rankings, the voters believe that Chivas are also superior on form to their opponents for this week, the Philadelphia Union, who rank 17th this week. The big test will be to see if Chivas can finally (finally!) get a result at home, and it seems the Union are an ideal opponent for such a big game.

Still ahead of Chivas this week are the Chicago Fire, who frankly have played about two-thirds of the schedule that the rest of the league has played, and therefore remain an enigma, and D.C. United, who are incredibly sitting in 3rd place in the East (yet are ranked 11th in the power rankings). Frankly, only one point separates Chivas and D.C., but the Goats are sitting in 7th in the overall table, while D.C. is in 10th. So if Chivas take care of business again this week, there may be room for them to climb higher yet.

At the top, there's little surprise: Sporting Kansas City has the top spot again this week, followed by Real Salt Lake. Of interest to some, the LA Galaxy are in 9th, moving up a spot from last week after beating the Portland Timbers. I'm sure that will gall some of you out there, but overcoming attitudes takes time, and if Chivas can continue to build on their performance the past month, they will gain increasing respect from MLS observers, regardless of how the neighbors perform.

What do you think? Leave a comment below!